heartrending

[ hahrt-ren-ding ]

/ ˈhɑrtˌrɛn dɪŋ /

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See synonyms for heartrending on Thesaurus.com

adjective

causing or expressing intense grief, anguish, or distress.

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Origin of heartrending

First recorded in 1680–90; heart + rending

OTHER WORDS FROM heartrending

heart·rend·ing·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH heartrending

gut-wrenching, heartrending

Words nearby heartrending

heart of palm, heart of stone, heart of the matter, heart on one's sleeve, heart rate, heartrending, Heart River, hearts, hearts and flowers, heart's content, heart-searching

How to use heartrending in a sentence

Convinced that it had to be a physical disorder, she wrote to doctors and, in heartrending precision, appealed to them for diagnosis and treatment, which of course they could not provide.
These Rebels Fought Conformity in 1950s America—and Are Still Making a Difference Today|James R. Gaines|February 3, 2022|Time
The most heartrending threat to the seeds was the citizens of Leningrad themselves.
The Botanist Who Defied Stalin - Issue 99: Universality|Lee Alan Dugatkin|April 21, 2021|Nautilus
In Oxyana, the performances he summons from his interview subjects are truly heartrending.
Vimeo Presents: The Top 10 Videos of 2013||December 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Clearly, the voters were rewarding his heartrending performance of “ I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
Golden Globes 2011: Watch the Funniest Moments|The Daily Beast Video|January 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST

At the Eichmann trial, concentration camp survivors supplied heartrending testimony.
New York Needs a Terror Trial|Karen Greenberg|February 12, 2010|DAILY BEAST
As she twisted his great red ear, the agonized cries of Johnny became heartrending.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
The unfortunate sufferers presented a heartrending picture, worthy of the painter of the Deluge.
The Seven Cardinal Sins: Envy and Indolence|Eugne Sue
She spent days in worshipping the small divinity of his person, and in the contemplation of his heartrending human attributes.
The Creators|May Sinclair
This was really heartrending when the difference in fare for three persons would be at least twenty dollars.
Penelope's Experiences in Scotland|Kate Douglas Wiggin
I saw none of those heartrending tragic scenes of parting, none of the wild grief that grows so much wilder for being indulged.
The Relief of Mafeking|Filson Young

British Dictionary definitions for heartrending

heart-rending

adjective

causing great mental pain and sorrow

Derived forms of heart-rending

heart-rendingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012